Top #8 Best Condenser Microphones To Buy Today

As we move on our way to select best microphones for you in different categories and different shapes and sizes, especially when it comes to recording supreme quality of many different instruments (like guitar, sitar, etc.) and your voice, of course. Condenser microphones are able to record and follow all types of frequencies more accurately in contrast to other popular microphones of the market. The best condenser microphones have a high-frequency rate, better output, and greater response. And because of too many microphones available in the market, you might be in trouble of which one to choose. Well, don’t worry, we have chosen the top8 best condenser microphones available in the market that you should buy.

Best Condenser Headphones

Microphone Reviews-

Model Name

Product Dimensions

Item Weight

Output Connector

Frequency Response

Our Rating

Rode NT1-A

15.2 x 4.5 x 11 inches

4.5 pounds

3-Pin XLR

20Hz - 20kHz

(4.8 / 5)

M Audio Nova

13.2 x 19.6 x 4.4 inches

6.83 pounds

3-pin male XLR

20Hz-18,000Hz

(3.5 / 5)

Blue Yeti

4.9 x 4.7 x 11.6 inches

3.51 pounds

USB

20 Hz to 20 kHz

(4.5 / 5)

Rode NTK

26 x 6 x 13 inches

14.2 pounds

3-Pin XLR

20 to 20,000 Hz

(4.5 / 5)

Audio Technica AT 2020

9.6 x 9.6 x 2.6 inches

1.32 pounds

N/a

20-20,000 Hz

(4.8 / 5)

AKG Perception P220

9 x 5.5 x 9.8 inches

1.2 pounds

N/a

20Hz – 20000Hz

(4.5 / 5)

Blue Spark

1.8 x 1.8 x 8.7 inches

11.5 ounces

XLR

20Hz – 20kHz

(4.9 / 5)

Shure SM 58

3.5 x 10.1 x 4.9 inches

2.8 pounds

XLR

50Hz-15kHz

(4.6 / 5)

#1. Rode NT1-A-

The Rode NT-1A is that condenser microphone that has become an industry exclusive standard microphone as it delivers wide dynamic range and warmth as well. Also, I forgot to mention that it is cheap and affordable as compared to other microphones in the same range. This has been considered as the best condenser microphone of all time by many users because of its super clear sound and lots of features.

The Rode NT1-A is one of the quietest studio microphones among the competition with a 5 dB self-noise level and this awesome microphone makes it pretty better for recording percussion, vocals, and guitar. This one is a choice of may hone recorders, semi-pro guys and professional singers and instrumentalists as well.

Features

Large Condenser Microphone

Large 1 inch capsule

Gold plated diaphragm

Extended dynamic range

Ideal for Home Studio Recording

Clarity and High SPL Capability

20 Ft Premium Cable

Studio-Grade Pop Shield

Internal Capsule Shock Mounting

Dust Cover

Frequency Range: 20 Hz-20 kHz

Directional Pattern: Cardioid

Ultra low noise

6 meter XLR cable

Pop mount

Shock mount system

10 year warranty

Pros:Cons:

Pros:

Very low noise

Clear recordings

Complete package with the value

6 meter XLR cable

Shock mount system

No need to buy accessories for it separately

Cons:

No padding switch

No multi-pattern system

No bass roll off

Can’t be used with loud applications like drums

Buy the Rode NT1-A from here.

#2. M Audio Nova-

M Audio Nova is relatively another best condenser microphone that is cheap and affordable too. Give your recordings a new life with the latest offering from M Audio. It is a large capsule condenser type microphone.

The M-Audio Nova condenser microphone comes with a hard mount and a soft case, so you will be out of buying a few additional accessories in case you need them. It won’t be very expensive as compared to some other condenser microphones out there, however, if you do want a bit higher quality microphone, then you will get the best for you in the list below.

Features

1″ diameter evaporated gold diaphragm

It offers smooth and accurate sound

Solid brass body

Hard mount

Soft case

XLR cable

Class A solid-state electronics

Low noise

Cardioid pickup pattern

Minimal coloration

Isolate unwanted studio sounds

Capsule delivers protection and reliability

Frequency response: 20Hz-18,000Hz

Sensitivity: 16mV/Pa (-36dBV)

SPL for 0.5% THD: 128dB

Equivalent noise level: 14dB-A-weighted

Output impedance: 200 ohms

Recommended load impedance: More than 1,000 ohms

Preamp topology: Class A FET preamp

Power requirement: 48V phantom power

Connector: 3-pin male XLR

Grille and Body: Wire mesh grille and body, all brass

Finishing: Nickel silver plating

Pros:Cons:

Pros:

Linear frequency response

Unbiased and uncolored sound

Mid-range frequencies get represented very well

Comes with a combo of the hard mount, carrying case and 2-meter XLR cable

No need to buy accessories for it separately

Cons:

Somewhat high floor noise

You need to buy a shock mount system separately

The 2-meter cable is too small for some purposes

Buy the M Audio Nova from here.

#3. Blue Yeti-

If a condenser microphone was not your choice then here we have the alternative, the Blue Yeti. It is flexible like hell that allows you to record awesome voice for your podcasts or voice-over and effects.

This one is a condenser type microphone that has a lot many features and they even do not require any external power source like windscreens, just connect it with your PC or Mac and it will do the job for you. It has a custom tri-capsule technology that lets you change the pickup in case you have many different types of work to do with it.

Highly versatile in nature

Pretty clear and good sound quality

Sturdily built

Cons:

Large in size and heavy weight

Not much user friendly

Can take some time to set it up

Buy the Blue Yeti from here.

#4. Rode NTK-

The Rode NTK is a studio-quality condenser type microphone with superior sound and clarity. The microphone gives you a fuzzy feel and with the branding of Rode, you should definitely buy this one if it meets all your requirements and you are satisfied with it fully.

It is said to be a beast for the price offered by many vocalists and internet streamers as well. The mic gives you a fuzzy feel and with the branding of Rode, you should definitely buy this one if it meets all your requirements and you are satisfied with it fully.

Features

Condenser type microphone

Cardioid pickup pattern

5 mm headphone jack support

Desktop stand

Zip case

Pop filter support

Frequency response : 20 to 20,000 Hz

Large 1 inch capsule with gold plated diaphragm

Ultra low noise

Wide dynamic range

Graded 6922 twin-triode valve

Dedicated Power Supply

High strength heat-treated steel mesh head

Durable satin nickel finish

Internal capsule shock mounting

High level of RF rejection

Pros:Cons:

Pros:

Crisp and clear sound

Deep bass

User-friendly in nature

Plug and play support

Very well built

Zero-latency monitoring

Cons:

A little noise from audio might come some time

It won’t work with Skype, ass said by a user

The stand does not fold and fit in a case

Buy the Rode NTK from here.

#5. Audio Technica AT 2020-

The Audi Technica AT 2020 is the best buy of the microphone for the price offered. You can consider it as the best condenser microphone that is best for vocalists and instrumentalists recording in a studio. Even this would work very well for gaming, podcasting, etc. kind of purposes.

This is a light weight condenser microphone manufactured for transient response and extended frequency. It filters the sound from outside noises leaving a melodious voice that is just near it. Its build quality is just like premium ones and can last longer if you take care of it properly.

Features

USB Output for recording

5 mm headphone jack

Volume controls to monitor microphone signals

Mix controls to blend it

High-output internal amplifier

Wide dynamic range

Low mass diaphragm

High SPL Handling

High quality a and d converter of 16 bit

48 kHz of the sampling rate

Polar pattern system to reduce noise

Pros:Cons:

Pros:

Pretty good linear frequency response

You can be assured of balanced recording

20 meters long XLR cable so you won’t need to buy it separately

Cons:

You don’t have any polar selection pad, so you can’t use it for heavy applications

It doesn’t come with a shock mount out of the box, so you need to buy one separately.

Buy the Audio Technica AT 2020 from here.

#6. AKG Perception P220-

The AKG Perception P220 is a true condenser type microphone that is perfect for instrumentalists, vocalists, and guitarists as well. This would be definitely the choice of many singers and rappers out there.

It has the feature of bass cut filter to resist the ugly noise for low frequencies. The large diaphragm design is the best for vocalists. This would be definitely the choice of many singers and rappers out there. Its sound clarity, reasonable price, and pretty good performance make it a great choice.

Affordable microphone from a reputed brand

20 dB padding support

A quite wide microphone range

Large diaphragm

Perfect choice for on-stage applications

Cons:

Does not have a pop filter and XLR cable

You have to buy them separately

No switchable polar pattern

Not suitable for ensemble recording

Buy the AKG Perception P220 from here.

#7. Blue Spark-

As we saw one of the best condenser microphones from Blue, this one is another selected from the popular and reputed brand, Blue. Not only quality but this brand has also tied with versatility, allowing the user to get the best possible audio recording with almost similar frequencies. Apart from all this, it looks a bit funky and classy with its orange color.

The Blue Spark offers two usage modes–Normal Mode and Focus Mode. Both of them delivers a little different frequency sound when used perfectly. I just loved this one and the reviews don’t lie and I should mention that it is an affordable product from Blue.

Features

Premium condenser capsule

Delivering low noise

High efficiency

Rapid response in any recording situation

Tighter, direct and focused sound

Utilizes custom-matched circuitry

Professional-quality

Class-A discrete components

Circuit design pairs Spark’s condenser capsule

Phantom-powered outboard amplifier

Custom shock mount

Metal pop filter

Detailed recording guide

Clear and Present Recording

Three-year manufacturer’s warranty

Wooden case

Two-position button

Pros:Cons:

Pros:

Great clarity and relatively low self-noise

Soft and clear sounding. Very transparent

Pristine mid-range. Subtle and crisp

Sounds as good as or better than microphones costing a lot more

Extremely Versatile with a flat frequency response

Warm tone and silky smooth highs

It’s well built like Arnold

Beautiful to look at

High SPL

Nice proximity effect

Good presence peak in the 2 kHz range.

Cons:

The pop filter that comes with the Bluebird is so bad. You should probably invest in your own.

The shock-mount is durable but needs to be tightened a lot to stay in place

Mount design is said to be bad.

The microphone has somewhat of a small neck

Some trouble with the high end

Maybe a bit bright/sibilant

Buy the Blue Spark from here.

#8. Shure SM 58-

The Shure SM 58 is a high-quality microphone that you can get at a very reasonable price. This is a dynamic microphone so it will work very well with stage performances like singing or speech.

With a high-quality clearance, it delivers the message with all clarity possible. It resists ugly breath noises and drains out the wind. It is a rugged microphone with the great build quality that has a shock proof system in-built.

Features

Frequency response manufactured for vocals

Frequency rate: 50 to 15,000 Hz

Shock mount system to reduce noise

In built break-resistance and adapter that rotates 1800

In built pop filter and spherical wind

Cardioid pickup pattern to reduce background noise

Ruggedness

Pros:Cons:

Pros:

Affordable for most of the gadgets

Durable than any other average microphone

Pretty clear sound quality

In built shock mount system

Light weight

Cons:

Slight lack of overall quality in a higher range

A tone is not awful

Buy the Shure SM 58 from here.

Final Words

Remember that everything does not depend on the sound clarity or amplification; it all depends upon you, what are your actual requirements and what you are going to do with the microphone you bought. Also, you need to keep improving your skills, doesn’t matter whatever your field is. We have just selected the top 8 best condenser microphones available in the market that you can buy. Tell us in the comment what you are going to do with the microphone that you are looking for and if you bought one from our top class list then let us know in the comment section below.

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